White-collar professionals with a college degree pay up to 45% less for insurance than blue-collar workers with no more than a high-school diploma, according to a new report from the Consumer Federation of America. But is that fair? See how insurers use education and occupation in setting rates.

Also in today’s Personal Finance pages, read about how cellphone use by motorists is contributing to more crashes, see why grad schools are less likely to offer admission to overweight applicants, and find out how new insurance plans may limit physician options.

25% of car crashes involve cellphones

Spanish train operator talked while driving—like many motorists. Despite all the warnings about the dangers of talking or texting while driving, transportation experts say the situation is only getting worse. 25% of car crashes involve cellphones

Want to save on car insurance? Get a Ph.D.

A study found that white-collar professionals with a college degree pay up to 45% less for auto insurance than blue-collar workers with no more than a high-school diploma. Want to save on car insurance? Get a Ph.D.

Facebook investors break even

More than a year after its initial public offering, Facebook investors may finally be breaking even. The gains came after the company announced a new program for publishing mobile games that could boost revenue. Facebook investors break even

Want a marijuana prescription? Get in line

Nineteen states have legalized medical marijuana. But people waiting for a prescription shouldn’t hold their breath: It can take months to find a doctor willing to recommend the treatment. Want a marijuana prescription? Get in line

10 oddest cruise ship innovations

In 2013, major cruise lines are expected to welcome 17.6 million passengers. With ships trying to offer adventures and amenities that set them apart from the rest, they’re creating flashy experiences. Read on for 10 of the latest cruise innovations. 10 oddest cruise ship innovations

PCs outsell tablets in college dorms

Sales of desktop and laptop computers may soon be overtaken by tablets, but there is one place the old workhorses haven’t fallen out of fashion: the college campus. PCs outsell tablets in college dorms

10 things psychologists won’t tell you

5 ways commuting ruins your life

Around 2.2 million people in the U.S. have a daily commute of at least an hour to and from work. Here are 5 ways commuting may damage your financial, physical and even emotional health. 5 ways commuting ruins your life

Fed gives no hint on QE tapering timeline

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday slightly downgraded its economic outlook but gave no hint about its plans for its $85 billion-a-month asset purchase program known as QE3. Fed gives no hint on QE tapering timeline

Text of FOMC statement after Fed meeting ends

Three thoughts on the GDP report

The GDP report might have been better than expected, but it showed an economy that’s growing too slowly, with inflation too low and its momentum fading away, writes Rex Nutting. Three thoughts on the GDP report

U.S. economy grows 1.7% in second quarter

The new GDP methodology: What you need to know

The Commerce Department has made changes to how it calculates gross domestic product, designed to have the data better reflect the so-called knowledge economy. Other countries have or are about to make similar changes to GDP. The new GDP methodology: What you need to know

What to expect from the GDP report

The U.S. economy probably slowed in the second quarter, but the size of the drop is far from clear and analysts doubt there will be much carryover in the second half of the year. What to expect from the GDP report

INVESTING

How to cope with risk of inflation — and deflation

When will we see inflation — and what is the risk of deflation? How will asset classes be affected by shifts in the global economy over the next few years? With so many unknowns ahead, some answers are hard to come by. But the good news is that there are attractive ways to diversify and potentially increase sources of investment returns in the prospective environment. How to cope with risk of inflation — and deflation

Should insider trading be legal? Insiders say yes

Blame Europe for the next bank failure

European leadership continues to resist installing tougher measures to make banks less vulnerable to a potential financial crisis, leaving the blame for any potential failures squarely on their shoulders. Blame Europe for the next bank failure

Has LinkedIn’s growth kept pace with Facebook?

Now that Facebook has reported re-accelerated revenue growth thanks largely to a surge in mobile ad dollars, investors will soon find out whether LinkedIn’s top line has followed a similar path, writes John Shinal. Has LinkedIn’s growth kept pace with Facebook?

It’s your money; here’s how to keep it

Investors have disengaged from their money and the professionals who handle it, writes Jonathan Burton. The solution is to connect with your financial life, and the good news is that most people have the ability. It’s your money; here’s how to keep it

Three big trends to replace the BRICS

The BRICS countries have had their day as the darlings of investors, writes Matthew Lynn. Here are three trends that might replace Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as market favorites. Three big trends to replace the BRICS

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